California Democratic Party endorses Gov. Brown’s tax measure

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The California Democratic Party has endorsed Proposition 30, Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax initiative on the November ballot, arguing that it ‘protects funding for schools and local public safety.’’

The measure would temporarily raise the sales tax by a quarter-cent and boost the income tax on the wealthy to help balance this year’s budget.

Meeting in Anaheim over the weekend, the state party’s executive board also agreed to oppose Proposition 38, an alternative tax measure backed by civil rights attorney Molly Munger. The party stayed neutral on a third tax measure, Proposition 39.

It signaled that a top priority will be working for the defeat of Proposition 32, which would ban corporations and unions from contributing directly to candidates, although they could still give to independent campaigns supporting or opposing contenders.

‘If Prop 32 were to pass, it would effectively silence the voice of working families at the ballot box while giving corporate interests and billionaire businessmen free rein to exert even more influence on our political system,’’ said state party Chairman John Burton. ‘We’re not going to let that happen.’

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-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento